Gunmen attacked Ahoro-Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on Tuesday morning, abducting an unspecified number of students from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, and also kidnapping the school principal, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, while shooting a teacher. The incident occurred between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., according to sources close to the community. The attackers stormed the school premises, creating panic among students and staff before fleeing into a nearby forest reserve that borders the community.
The assailants reportedly drove away the school principal in her personal vehicle, raising concerns about the safety of both the students and the staff. A source confirmed that while the exact number of students taken remains unknown, the abduction included the principal and involved violence, as one teacher was shot during the attack. The gender of the injured teacher was not disclosed. The source also noted that the nearest police station is in Ikoyi Division, which is far from the community, delaying response time and raising questions about security in the area.
The Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the attack during a telephone conversation with reporters. However, he did not confirm whether any kidnapping had occurred, stating only that the Commissioner of Police and his team were en route to the scene to assess the situation. “There was an attack in that area. The Commissioner of Police is on his way to the area,” Ayanlade said. This lack of immediate clarity has heightened anxiety among residents and families of the affected students.
The incident has sparked widespread concern over rising insecurity in rural communities across Oyo State, particularly in areas with limited police presence. Parents and community leaders are calling for urgent intervention to ensure the safe return of the abducted students and the principal. The attack also highlights the vulnerability of educational institutions in remote areas, where security infrastructure is often inadequate.
As authorities continue their investigation, residents remain on edge, fearing further attacks. The case underscores the need for improved security measures in schools and increased police deployment in vulnerable communities. The federal and state governments are expected to respond swiftly to prevent a recurrence and restore public confidence. This incident adds to a growing list of school abductions in Nigeria, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms.
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